How to Get a Head Start on PERT (Tips for CPA Canada Practical Experience)
Getting a head start on the Practical Experience Requirements (PERT) for the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation in Canada is a proactive way to accelerate your progress toward becoming a designated Canadian CPA. Below are 7 tips to put yourself in a strong position and ensure you progress quickly through the program.
1. Education and Courses: Ensure you've completed the necessary educational requirements to be eligible for the Professional Education Program (PEP) so that you may ultimately obtain the designation. Don’t forget to register as a CPA candidate so that you can start accumulating experience!
2. Plan Your CPA Experience Journey (Competency Map): Familiarize yourself with the PERT requirements of your provincial body and plan out which competency areas you will pursue and how you will attain Core, Breadth, and Depth competencies. An interactive template for planning your CPA Canada competencies/PERT journey is provided for free in the Chartered Perspective store. Feel free to check it out from the links below:
3. Internships and Co-op Jobs Count Towards PERT: Look for internships, co-op placements, or part-time positions in accounting firms, corporations, government agencies, or other relevant organizations. These opportunities will allow you to start gaining practical experience which will allow you to knock off a portion of the PERT requirements before you graduate!
4. Understand PERT Report Writing: Familiarize yourself with how PERT reports are written and how to structure your responses to achieve your targeted competencies at the required levels as you progress from Level 0 to Level 1 and eventually Level 2 responses. Chartered Perspective is pleased to offer several resources including PERT report and answer examples, templates, and guides, so that you know exactly what a CPA-approved PERT report looks like and how to write one yourself. Check out the Store for more details:
5. Document Your Tasks: Even if you are not yet reporting in PERT, keep detailed records of the tasks you perform and the projects you contribute to. This documentation will be valuable when you start reporting your experience in the PERT system because you can report up to one year of experience retroactively. Don’t let your experience go to waste.
6. Continuously Learn: As you gain experience, aim to take on increasingly complex work. It is entirely possible to obtain Level 1 competencies as an intern/co-op student, which will once again allow you to be that much closer to completing PERT once you graduate.
7. Stay Updated on Changes to the CPA Program: Keep in touch with your provincial CPA body for updates and information about the PERT program. A great way that can be done is through reading the Chartered Perspective Blog!
Read More CPA Canada Content in the Chartered Perspective Blog:
